News Makers 2011

E.R. docs: Lack of psychiatric beds leave patients stuck in hospitals

Gregory A. Volturo, MD, FACEP, chair and professor of emergency medicine, comments on the need to provide equitable services for patients with mental health problems during a state house oversight hearing held by the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Next up, scholarly politics

A story about the legacy of retiring University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of the Medical School and includes comments from Chancellor Michael F. Collins.

Chronic constipation tied to women's heart risks

A Reuters Health story quotes UMMS instructor of medicine Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, MD, PhD, on a study of 70,000 postmenopausal women that indicates that older women bothered by severe, chronic constipation may have a higher risk of heart disease than those who aren't.

06 - 23 - 11

Cool the hot flashes

A study by James F. Carmody, PhD, associate professor of medicine, shows that meditation can help reduce the severity of menopausal hot flashes.

More turn to prayer when sick

Twelve institutions receive NPCRC and American Cancer Society grants for palliative care research

UMMS researcher Jennifer Tjia, M.D. an assistant professor of medicine, is one of twelve researchers to receive an NPCRC/American Cancer Society grant for palliative care research.

06 - 23 - 11

United Way of Central Massachusetts campaign wrap-up

Coverage of the 2010 United Way of Central Massachusetts campaign wrap-up, which raised $3.1 million; brothers and campaign co-chairmen J. Christopher Collins, senior vice president and general counsel at Unum, and Dr. Michael F. Collins, senior vice president of health sciences and chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School are featured.

Magnetic Field Sensed by Gene, Study Shows

Research by Steven Reppert, MD, the Higgins Family Professor of Neuroscience and chair and professor of neurobiology, shows that a protein expressed in the human retina can sense magnetic fields when implanted into Drosophila, reopening an area of sensory biology in humans for further exploration.

Cape Tech grad followed a strange path to medicine

UMass To Test Medicare-Medicaid Combo Program

The University of Massachusetts Medical School teams up with the state to develop a program that will streamline funding and delivery of care for patients that qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare.

06 - 15 - 11

Med School Project Reaches Construction Milestone

Staff and faculty turn out to sign a white beam decorated with Old Glory and a small evergreen tree and watch as it was hoisted and bolted into place on the nine-story Albert Sherman Center in a “topping off” ceremony held to commemorate completion of the highest level of the building.

Keeping pace

Lawrence S. Rosenthal, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and director of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology at UMass Memorial Medical Center and William James Shine, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine, discuss a new type of pacemaker which is MRI safe. UMass Memorial Medical Center was the first medical center in New England to use the new device.

06 - 14 - 11

Red tape cited in health gap for young

A story about barriers to enrolling low-income children in government-subsidized health coverage cites a report from the Center for Health Law and Economics which found that many children dropped from coverage for administrative reasons were reenrolled within 90 days.

06 - 14 - 11

Voices advocating for autism

Autism Speaks founders Bob and Suzanne Wright talk about their work to increase awareness of autism as a major health threat. Bob and Suzanne Wright received honorary degrees at UMass Medical School’s 38th commencement ceremony held last week.

06 - 13 - 11

Kids, guns and doctors' rights

Michael P. Hirsh, MD, professor of surgery and pediatrics, comments on a Florida law that would restrict a physician’s ability to ask patients or their parents whether they own a gun.

Congressman Neal reflects on Springfield's tornado-spawned setback

A story about the devastation left by the June 1 tornado in Springfield includes comments from Joseph Strebel, MD, an internal medicine resident at UMass Medical School. Dr. Strebel is working with the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross to help with the clean up.Springfield Republican

06 - 12 - 11

Lancaster pharmacist courts disasters

Pharmacist Emilio J. Mastrodomenico, talks about his role with the Worcester-based Massachusetts-2 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Also quoted in the article is Gina M. Smith, RN, team commander and emergency preparedness coordinator at UMass Memorial Medical Center.

06 - 12 - 11

Working to help others

Matilde Castiel, MD, assistant professor of medicine and family medicine & community health at UMass Medical School, discusses the work of the Latin American Health Alliance. Dr. Castiel is founder and executive director of the alliance.

UMass Medical to join partnership

John L. Sullivan, MD, vice provost for research and professor of pediatrics and molecular medicine, explains how UMass Medical School’s new collaboration with Pfizer Inc.’s Center for Therapeutic Innovation will benefit faculty and spark new avenues for drug development.

Civic, business leaders announce fundraising push for tornado victims

The University of Massachusetts Medical School joins local businesses and elected officials in leading a fundraising effort to benefit the victims of the June 1 tornadoes that struck several Massachusetts communities.

06 - 07 - 11

Westborough Firm Seeks FDA Approval

A story about Reflectance Medical Inc.’s plans to develop a new sensor that can predict cardiovascular failure through non-invasive and continuous monitoring of the amount of oxygen and the pH levels in a patient's tissues, includes comments from Babs R. Soller, PhD, professor of anesthesiology and surgery, who first developed the technology.

06 - 06 - 11

Attitudes Toward Mammography Guidelines Influenced By Media

A study about how negative press increased skepticism of new mammogram guidelines introduced in 2009 was presented by AuTumn Davidson, MD, a third-year OB/GYN resident and Julia V. Johnson, MD, chair and professor of obstetrics & gynecology, at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 59th Annual Clinical Meeting.

06 - 06 - 11

CSC: Telemedicine could answer healthcare challenges

Research by Craig M. Lilly, MD, professor of medicine, anesthesiology and surgery and director of the eICU program, shows some of the first evidence that telemedicine can improve care provided at the bedside.

Stress-Reduction Technique May Ease Hot Flashes

A study by James F. Carmody, PhD, associate professor of medicine, shows that meditation can help reduce the severity of menopausal hot flashes.

06 - 06 - 11

UMass Medical graduates hear messages of compassion

University of Miami President and keynote speaker at the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s 38th commencement exercises Donna E. Shalala praised graduates from the Graduate School of Nursing, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Medicine for their world-class education and reminded them to always put their patients first.